Kealakehe High School students debate on international policy for global contest

A team of Kealakehe High School students continues to advance in a prestigious global debate contest and will compete against 15 other teams in the next round of the Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum.

The International Public Policy Forum is a prestigious global debate contest sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University. It is the world’s only international high school debate competition combining written and oral advocacy on issues of public policy.

The written debates began in November and have successively narrowed the field. The round of 32 began early January when teams engaged in a written volley on the topic:

“Resolved: The Group of 20 Nations should levy a global education tax equal to 1% of each member country’s gross domestic product to establish a dedicated international organization that supports the provision of universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.”

A panel of judges evaluated each written debate to select this year’s “Sweet 16” teams. They represent schools from 10 U.S. states and five countries, including the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Türkiye.

Advancing teams remain eligible to win an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City, where they will compete for the International Public Policy Forum World Champion title, the Brewer Cup, and a $10,000 grand prize.

“The advancing teams have committed themselves to the research and craft that go into effective public policy advocacy,” said William A. Brewer, chairman of the Brewer Foundation and founder of the International Public Policy Forum. “They have demonstrated exceptional skill thus far, but this final round will determine who earns the opportunity to debate in New York City.”

The winners of the “Sweet 16” will be invited to New York City to compete at the International Public Policy Forum finals on Saturday, April 18, at the New York University School of Law. The teams will compete in oral debates before a panel of judges that includes professionals from law, business, academia, and public policy.

Founded in 2001, the International Public Policy Forum is the only international debate competition in which teams compete in both oral and written debate.

Round of 32 results:

• Kealakehe Public High School from Kailua Kona, Hawaii advances over Syosset High School from Syosset, New York 
• BASIS International School Shenzhen from Shenzhen, China advances over Bergen Debate Club from Bergen, New Jersey 
• Jasper High School from Plano, Texas advances over Seido Mikawadai High School from Nagasaki Japan 
• Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 1) from Johns Creek, Georgia advances over Greenwich High School from Greenwich, Connecticut 
• Pomperaug Regional High School from Southbury, Connecticut advances over Carroll Senior High School from Southlake, Texas 
• North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania advances over Flower Mound High School from Flower Mound, Texas 
• Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona advances over TH School from Hanoi Vietnam 
• Çevre High School from Istanbul, Turkey advances over The Academy of Classical Christian Studies from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 
• Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 2) from John’s Creek Georgia advances over Jabberwocky Studio from Delhi, India 
• Delbarton School from Morristown, New Jersey advances over Grand Oaks High School from Spring, Texas 
• Notre Dame San Jose from San Jose, California advances over Phillips Academy Andover from Andover, Massachusetts 
• Millburn High School from Millburn, New Jersey advances over German European School Singapore from Singapore 
• Troy High School from Troy, Michigan advances over Phillips Exeter Academy from Exeter, New Hampshire 
• Saint Paul Preporatory Seoul from Seoul, Republic of Korea advances over Nova High School from Davie, Florida 
• Westwood High School from Austin, Texas advances over Damien Memorial School from Honolulu, Hawaii 
• Marymount Academy International from Montreal, Canada advances over Northport High School from Northport, New York